US President Joe Biden has warned his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin of “severe and rapid repercussions“What Moscow would suffer in the event of an attack by Ukraine, during a telephone call lasting just over an hour on Saturday between the two leaders, the White House announced.
No fundamental change according to the USA
The United States and its allieswill respond resolutely and impose severe and swift repercussions on Russia“if the latter invades Ukraine, indicated the American executive.
The long-awaited call, which was “professional and wealthy“, however, did not lead to “fundamental change in the dynamic that we have been observing for several weeks now“, told reporters a US official.
Joe Biden reaffirmed that an invasion “would cause considerable human suffering and weaken Russia’s position“, according to the White House. The United States and its allies, who remain prepared for a diplomatic solution, are “equally ready for other scenarios“, he told Vladimir Putin.
The presidents agreed to continue contacts at all levels
For its part, the Kremlin denounced the “hysteria” American regarding Ukraine following the phone call, while clarifying that the two men had decided to “continue contact“. “The hysteria has reached its peak“, said at a press conference Yuri Ushakov, diplomatic adviser to Mr. Putin. But”the presidents agreed to continue contacts at all levels“, he added.
“In the past few days and hours, the situation has been led to absurdity“, criticized Mr. Ushakov, saying that “the Americans announce the very date of the Russian invasion, and at the same time flex the military muscles of Ukraine“. He nevertheless noted that the conversation was “remained quite balanced and professional in nature“.
“The presidents agreed that the views expressed by Mr. Biden (would) be considered in Moscow and (would) be taken into account in our reaction“to the responses that NATO and Washington must provide to Russia’s security demands.
Russia denounces “provocative speculations”
Since the first troop deployments near Ukraine in November, Moscow has denied any intention of invasion, but has called for an end to NATO expansion and Western support for this country, which it considers as part of its sphere of influence.
During his discussion with the French President, Vladimir Putin denounced “provocative speculation regarding an alleged ‘Russian invasion’ of Ukraine” and criticized the “large-scale deliveries of modern armaments” to his neighbour. The Russian president felt that they were creating “preconditions for possible aggressive actions of Ukrainian forces” in eastern Ukraine where Russia has supported armed separatists for eight years.
Mr. Macron repeated it to “determination to react“Westerners in the event of a Russian military operation, and that he was going to continue his diplomatic efforts by calling Joe Biden this Saturday as well as German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
Beyond the presidents, the intense diplomatic exchanges consisted on Saturday of calls between the heads of Russian diplomacy Sergei Lavrov and American Antony Blinken, who also spoke with his British counterpart Liz Truss. The American and Russian Ministers of Defense, Lloyd Austin and Sergei Shoigu, also exchanged.
The German Chancellor is to take up the torch, going to Kiev on Monday and Moscow on Tuesday.
Many countries ask their citizens to leave Ukraine
At the same time, the list of countries calling on their nationals to leave Ukraine continues to grow, including the United States, Germany, Italy, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Canada, Norway or even Australia, Japan and Israel.
The KLM airline announced on Saturday the suspension of flights to Ukraine until further notice.
Moscow also recalled some of its diplomatic staff, claiming to fear adverse “provocations”.
The United States also ordered the departure of most of the personnel of the American embassy in Kiev, noting that a Russian offensive might “start at any time and without warning“. Some 160 American soldiers who were training the Ukrainian forces were also ordered to leave.
Ukraine deplores the attitude of the United States
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky for his part once once more deemed the American statements too alarmist. “All this information (as to a possible attack) only causes panic and does not help us“, he said.
In Kiev, thousands of demonstrators marched on Saturday, saying they refused to give in to panic precisely, even if they took the threat seriously.
“Panic is useless. We must unite and fight for our independence“says student Maria Shcherbenko, holding a sign”I stay calm. I love Ukraine“.
Outgoing calls
Adding to the tensions, Russia on Saturday launched new naval maneuvers in the Black Sea to practice “defend” Crimea, a peninsula annexed in 2014. The Ministry of Defense also claimed that the Russian navy had chased an American submarine from its waters in the Pacific Ocean on Saturday.
Westerners rule out committing their armies in the event of war, but have planned devastating economic reprisals.
This crisis is, according to Westerners, the most dangerous in Europe since the end of the Cold War.
The White House has already outlined the scenario for the Russian offensive, citing probable “aerial bombing and missile fire” and a possible assault on the capital Kiev.